Indoor Navigation System Using Beacon Triangulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing navigation systems, such as static maps and GPS, are inadequate for providing accurate and detailed navigation within large buildings or complexes, as they often lack precise location information and fail to guide users effectively between specific destinations, especially when GPS signals are unavailable or unreliable.
Innovation Solution
A network of interactive kiosks and scanners or radio beacons that communicate with mobile devices to receive destinations, provide directions, and track user movement, using wireless interfaces and local processing systems to offer dynamic route updates and location estimation through triangulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If GPS is used for navigation, then navigation directions can be provided where GPS signal is available, but GPS signal is not available in buildings and accuracy is only within a few hundred feet
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of beacons deployed throughout the building and a mobile application that mediates between the user's device and the building's navigation infrastructure. The beacons act as intermediate nodes that relay location information, enabling precise indoor positioning when GPS is unavailable by triangulating signals from multiple beacons.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of location determination from satellite-based GPS coordinates to local beacon-based triangulation. By switching to a different positioning parameter system suited for indoor environments, the patent achieves both availability and precision within buildings.
2Loss of information
If static maps are used, then users can find location names through lists, but users cannot easily determine which category a store belongs to or match names to locations on the map
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms static maps into dynamic, interactive displays that respond to user input and provide real-time updates. The mobile application allows users to search for destinations, receive turn-by-turn directions, and get dynamic route recalculation, making the navigation system adaptable to user needs rather than requiring users to manually search static information.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the mobile application continuously provides users with their current location, directional guidance, and confirmation of approaching destinations. This feedback loop helps users verify they are on the correct path and reduces the cognitive load of interpreting static maps.
3Ease of operation
If touch screen maps are used, then users can interact with the map interface, but the maps do not help users find destinations on the map or match names in directories to locations
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically searching for and identifying the user's desired destination based on input from various sources (beacon signals, user search queries, directory lookups). Rather than requiring users to manually search and match information, the system proactively finds and presents the relevant destination information and routing instructions.
4Loss of information
If floor plans with static restrictions are used, then users can see location layouts, but users get no specific details on how to get from location A to destination B
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual navigation planning with an automated routing system. The mobile application calculates optimal paths, provides turn-by-turn directions, and offers real-time route recalculation based on user progress and changing conditions, eliminating the need for users to manually plan their navigation through static floor plans.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for providing navigation information to a user in a region, the system including: a plurality of navigation stations disposed throughout the region and coupled to a communications network, each station having a wireless interface configured to communicate interactively with a mobile device carried by the user; wherein the system is configured to receive a destination at a selected navigation station using the wireless interface, to provide directions from the selected navigation station to the destination using the mobile device, and to track movement of the user throughout the region using interaction between the mobile device and a navigation station in range of the mobile device or interaction between the user and one of the navigation stations selected by the user.